Read the Bible
KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Acts 23:5–9

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.
And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.
Share
Email linkOpen a new message in your email app
Read chapter
More
Report an issueTell us about a text or study problem

PASSAGE SELECTION

Build from either side

5 selected · 5 available

Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

23 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 5

  1. Exodus 22:28Rank 1 from verse 5
    Open

    28¶ Thou shalt not revile the gods, nor curse the ruler of thy people.

  2. Ecclesiastes 10:20Rank 2 from verse 5
    Open

    20¶ Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.

  3. Jude 1:8–9Rank 3 from verse 5
    Open

    8Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

    9Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

  4. 2 Peter 2:10Rank 4 from verse 5
    Open

    10But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.

  5. Acts 24:17Rank 5 from verse 5
    Open

    17Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.

From verse 6

  1. Acts 24:15Rank 1 from verse 6
    Open

    15And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

  2. Acts 24:21Rank 2 from verse 6
    Open

    21Except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.

  3. Acts 26:5–8Rank 3 from verse 6
    Open

    5Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.

    6And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:

    7Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.

    8Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?

  4. Acts 28:20Rank 4 from verse 6
    Open

    20For this cause therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you: because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.

  5. Philippians 3:5Rank 5 from verse 6
    Open

    5Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;

From verse 7

  1. Acts 14:4Rank 1 from verse 7
    Open

    4But the multitude of the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the apostles.

  2. John 7:40–43Rank 2 from verse 7
    Open

    40¶ Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.

    41Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?

    42Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?

    43So there was a division among the people because of him.

  3. Matthew 10:34Rank 3 from verse 7
    Open

    34Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

  4. Psalms 55:9Rank 4 from verse 7
    Open

    9Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.

From verse 8

  1. Luke 20:27Rank 1 from verse 8
    Open

    27¶ Then came to him certain of the Sadducees, which deny that there is any resurrection; and they asked him,

  2. Matthew 22:23Rank 2 from verse 8
    Open

    23¶ The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him,

  3. Mark 12:18Rank 3 from verse 8
    Open

    18¶ Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying,

  4. Acts 4:1Rank 4 from verse 8
    Open

    1AND as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

From verse 9

  1. Acts 22:17–18Rank 1 from verse 9
    Open

    17And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;

    18And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.

  2. Acts 22:7Rank 2 from verse 9
    Open

    7And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

  3. John 12:29Rank 3 from verse 9
    Open

    29The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.

  4. Acts 23:29Rank 4 from verse 9
    Open

    29Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.

  5. Acts 25:25Rank 5 from verse 9
    Open

    25But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Acts 23:5

COMBINED MEANING

brethren

↗

1. Persons of the same people, tribe, community, or shared service who are regarded or addressed as brothers. 2. Persons regarded as brothers by reason of faith or another spiritual relation. 3. Male siblings or other male relatives.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

high

↗

Sense 1: Elevated or far above; great in height, stature, or position; aloft. Sense 2: Elevated or chief in rank, office, power, authority, honor, excellence, or importance. Sense 3: Great in degree, intensity, fullness, or advancement; loud or strongly expressed. Sense 4: Proud, haughty, or self-exalting. Sense 5: Difficult, lofty, or beyond reach or understanding. Sense 6: In high way, a principal or public road; in high place, an elevated site, often used for worship or sacrifice.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

priest

↗

One appointed to sacred service, ministering in things pertaining to God or a deity, especially by offering gifts or sacrifices.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

written

↗

Past-tense or past-participial form of write (to set down, record, or communicate in letters or writing).

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

speak

↗

Sense 1: To utter words or articulate sounds, or to use a language. Sense 2: To address or converse with someone. Sense 3: To state, declare, make mention of, or otherwise make a matter known.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

evil

↗

Sense 1: Moral wickedness, sin, wrong, or corruption. Sense 2: Harm, misery, calamity, adversity, or punishment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

ruler

↗

Sense 1: One who governs or exercises authority. Sense 2: A straight measuring instrument.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

people

↗

Persons collectively; a nation, community, or group considered as a body.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Acts 23:6

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

part

↗

Sense 1: A portion or division of a whole. Sense 2: To divide, separate, depart, or share.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

cried

↗

1. Called out, shouted, proclaimed, warned, wailed, or otherwise uttered, often loudly. 2. Appealed, prayed, complained, or called for help, justice, or attention.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

out

↗

Outside, away from within, forth, absent, or no longer in a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

brethren

↗

1. Persons of the same people, tribe, community, or shared service who are regarded or addressed as brothers. 2. Persons regarded as brothers by reason of faith or another spiritual relation. 3. Male siblings or other male relatives.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

Pharisee

↗

A member of a Jewish sect known for strict observance of its religious traditions.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Bullokar 1616

COMBINED MEANING

son

↗

1. A male child or descendant. 2. One belonging to, related to, or characterized by the person, people, place, condition, or quality named.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

hope

↗

1. Expectation, trust, reliance, or the good expected. 2. The person or ground on which expectation rests. 3. To expect, look for, trust, or rely upon.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

dead

↗

Sense 1: Without life; deprived of life. Sense 2: Lifeless, inactive, insensible, or separated from a former state by figure.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

called

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of call. Sense 1: To name. Sense 2: To summon or invite. Sense 3: To proclaim or address. Sense 4: To request.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Acts 23:7

COMBINED MEANING

arose

↗

1. Rose, stood up, got up, or moved upward from a lower, lying, seated, fallen, or inactive position. 2. Began, emerged, appeared, came into being, or came forward. 3. Took action, intervened, or undertook the stated work. 4. Rose from death; returned to life.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

dissension

↗

Strong disagreement, contention, strife, or conflict that separates persons into opposing sides.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

multitude

↗

1. A great number or large gathered body of persons, creatures, or forces; a crowd, company, or host. 2. A great number, amount, fullness, or abundance of years, words, deeds, mercies, sins, possessions, waters, or other stated things.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Acts 23:8

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

say

↗

Sense 1: To speak, declare, tell, or express. Sense 2: What is said.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

neither

↗

1. Also not; nor, introducing or joining a further negative statement or prohibition. 2. Not either, or none, of the alternatives named, commonly in a neither ... nor construction.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

angel

↗

Sense 1: A messenger. Sense 2: A heavenly or spiritual messenger, whether holy or fallen as stated.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

spirit

↗

Sense 1: An immaterial living or personal being distinct from a body. Sense 2: The inward life, disposition, mind, or courage of a person. Sense 3: The Holy Spirit, the divine Spirit of God.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

confess

↗

To make confession; to disclose faults, or the state of the conscience.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Acts 23:9

COMBINED MEANING

arose

↗

1. Rose, stood up, got up, or moved upward from a lower, lying, seated, fallen, or inactive position. 2. Began, emerged, appeared, came into being, or came forward. 3. Took action, intervened, or undertook the stated work. 4. Rose from death; returned to life.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

cry

↗

1. A vocal call, shout, proclamation, alarm, wail, or other utterance, often loud. 2. An earnest appeal, prayer, complaint, or outcry for help, justice, or attention. 3. As a verb, to call out, shout, proclaim, wail, appeal, pray, or complain; figuratively, to bear urgent witness or demand notice.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

part

↗

Sense 1: A portion or division of a whole. Sense 2: To divide, separate, depart, or share.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

find

↗

To discover, meet with, obtain, perceive, or learn by search or experience.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

evil

↗

Sense 1: Moral wickedness, sin, wrong, or corruption. Sense 2: Harm, misery, calamity, adversity, or punishment.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

man

↗

1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

spirit

↗

Sense 1: An immaterial living or personal being distinct from a body. Sense 2: The inward life, disposition, mind, or courage of a person. Sense 3: The Holy Spirit, the divine Spirit of God.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

angel

↗

Sense 1: A messenger. Sense 2: A heavenly or spiritual messenger, whether holy or fallen as stated.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

spoken

↗

1. Uttered, said, declared, addressed, or communicated in words. 2. In 'spoken of,' mentioned, described, or referred to. 3. In 'spoken for,' addressed by request or commendation on another's behalf; in a marriage setting, sought as a spouse. 4. In 'spoken against' or 'evil spoken of,' opposed, contradicted, denounced, or reviled.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

let

↗

Sense 1: To allow or permit; in older KJV use, also to hinder or restrain. Sense 2: To lower or send down.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

us

↗

The first-person plural object pronoun, referring to the speaker together with one or more others as recipients or objects of an action or relation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

fight

↗

Sense 1: A battle, struggle, or contest. Sense 2: As a verb, to contend.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

against

↗

Opposed to, contrary to, facing, toward, or in contact with; in some settings, exposed to or ready for a stated time.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893

FOLLOW THE THEME

Related Concepts

Choose a connected KJV word or phrase to find where it appears in scripture.

READ BEFORE AND AFTER

Surrounding Verses

Nearby Scripture remains separate from the selected passage until you add it.

4And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest?

5Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

Selected passage

6But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

Selected passage

7And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.

Selected passage

8For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

Selected passage

9And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

Selected passage

10And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.

LOCAL PASTOR DIRECTORY

Find a Pastor Near You

Enter a U.S. ZIP code to find nearby pastors committed to holding fast the faithful word.

Your ZIP is processed in this browser from local data. It is not sent to a ZIP lookup service or to a church. ZIP coordinates from GeoNames, licensed under CC BY 4.0.